Busy voters could forgo waiting at the polls on Election Day and instead cast absentee ballots under a bill that passed in the state House on Thursday.

It would eliminate restrictions for voting absentee, which is currently limited to those 60 and older, as well as anyone who will be out of town, is in jail, has religious reasons for not voting on Election Day or needs assistance at the polls.

The measure could increase voter turnout by giving those who may be unable to make it to the polls another option, said state Rep. Martin Griffin, D-Jackson.

Only 15 percent of registered voters in Jackson County cast ballots in the August primary. About 54 percent voted in the 2004 presidential election and 51 percent voted in the November 2006 election.

"Everything we can do that will encourage people to vote should be done," said Griffin, who supported the bill that passed by a 65-41 vote.

Previous efforts to pass bills for no-reason absentee voting have failed. Opponents have said it could increase incidences of voter fraud.

Supporters disagree and say it could give voters who work long hours, have young children, or have trouble getting to the polls, another avenue for casting a ballot.

Ballots would still undergo the same scrutiny they do today if the restrictions on voting absentee were removed, Jackson city Clerk Lynn Fessel said.

"We have wonderful voters who don't want to miss going to the polls on election day ... but we also have to keep in mind how busy people are today," Fessel said. "This just gives them another option."

One drawback to the measure is if a voter makes a mistake on an absentee ballot, that vote will not be counted, Fessel said.

Those who make an error at the polls can get a new ballot, she said.

Jackson County Clerk Amanda Riska said she is hopeful the bill will pass in the state Senate.

"Anything that could possibly increase voter participation is a good thing," Riska said.

But the bill might not make it past the Republican-led Senate.

Other efforts to establish no-reason absentee voting in Michigan have fizzled in recent years because they have been opposed by Republican lawmakers.